Don't expect any fireworks, though. Public Inquiries are... well they're boring. They are the bastion of clique of lawyers who make their livings moving from one inquiry to another (I'm told a core group of inquiry lawyers have done every major Public Inquiry since the Dubin Inquiry in 1989). They question witnesses with an astounding focus on the mundane in a monotonous drone dropping in a couple of whoppers from time to time to keep the inquiry from looking like a wake.

So when a lawyer from outside the clique comes in and makes a splash, some people get their knickers in a knot and he or she is made to feel unwelcome. During the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry, one lawyer was dubbed the "Junk Yard Dog" by Globe and Mail columnist John Barber for his aggressive examination of witnesses. (For the record, the "court room theatrics" Mr. Barber referred to have successfully taken this lawyer's client off the media's hit list - so I think the strategy worked.)

In other words, don't expect the O.J. trial - there won't be any F. Lee Baileys around.

So, seven dull months of testimony followed by another seven or so of waiting for Mr. Justice Gomery to bless us with his insight. Why are we even bothering? It got Paul Martin out of a jam on the eve of an election, that's why.